Sri Lanka have a lot to be nervous about as Eire glance to flex their muscle mass once more

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On Monday, Sri Lanka eased previous a Namibia facet that had hardly performed beneath lighting fixtures, and whose batters have been in large part unfamiliar with the kind of tempo they needed to face. Their subsequent fighters is probably not slightly so inexperienced (even supposing this is most often their color).

Eire had now not had a perfect collection towards the UAE, within the technique to the T20 Global Cup, however they looked as if it would hit their stride since then. They gained each their warm-up suits with ease, then undoubtedly flew previous Netherlands, who were anticipated to offer them extra of a problem.

Main the price towards the Dutch used to be Curtis Campher, who emulated Sri Lanka’s largest T20 participant in taking 4 wickets in 4 balls. However even via that level, Eire’s bowlers have been in keep watch over, having struck two times early, and having saved Netherlands’ scoring fee to round a run-a-ball. Their peak order, which had flexed its muscle mass within the warm-up towards Bangladesh, used to be now not significantly examined via a goal of 107.

On peak of these kind of causes for Sri Lanka to be cautious, here is any other: Eire are coached via Graham Ford, who were Sri Lanka’s trainer till mid-2017. Even though, such has been the velocity of turnover in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs groups, the one gamers on this present squad Ford would have labored with broadly are the likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Kumara, and Dushmantha Chameera (who has grown right into a a lot better bowler since then).

Even supposing Sri Lanka’s middle-order has been relatively dependable over the last few weeks, thank you in large part to Avishka Fernando‘s contributions from No. 4, they’ll be determined to kind out their problems on the peak of the order. In opposition to Namibia, they fielded a peak 3 that featured Pathum Nissanka and Chandimal – each batters who’re higher suited for the Take a look at structure than this one. Drawback is, Sri Lanka do not have numerous applicants of their squad for top-order spots, so this isn’t a easy drawback to unravel.

Shape information

Finished suits, most up-to-date first

Eire WLLWL
Sri Lanka WLLLW

Within the highlight

Gareth Delany (brother of Laura Delany of the ladies’s workforce) ignored Eire’s house collection towards Zimbabwe in September as a result of a knee surgical operation, however since making it into the Global Cup squad, has made an affect. It used to be his 88 now not out off 50 balls that arrange Eire’s warm-up victory over Bangladesh – that innings featured 8 sixes. In opposition to Netherlands, his 44 off 29 ensured there can be no hiccups within the chase.

It is a acquainted Sri Lanka ploy to make use of a thriller spinner at an international event, and one fit in, Maheesh Theekshana is doing precisely what the suppose tank was hoping he would possibly, taking 3 for 25 towards Namibia. Groups with considerable research sources would possibly pore over his photos and devise transparent batting plans on how to select him, however within the qualifying spherical, Sri Lanka face groups who most likely don’t have outsize sources. Of the 3 groups they’ll face on this spherical, on the other hand, Eire most certainly have the most productive probability of demystifying him. How smartly he does on this fit would possibly be offering some indication as to how groups additional alongside within the event (equipped Sri Lanka get thru), play him.

Pitch and stipulations

Temperatures are anticipated to hover across the low 30-degrees Celsius vary once more. No rain is anticipated, however there was dew at the flooring, in particular in the second one innings.

Staff information

Sri Lanka’s peak 3 have now not been at their best possible, and there may well be a temptation to throw in Charith Asalanka, who had performed some excellent T20 innings over the last few months, however Mickey Arthur they’ll keep on with the similar peak 3 for this fit.

Sri Lanka (conceivable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera (wk), 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Avishka Fernando, 5 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Lahiru Kumara

Eire are most probably to stay with the XI that took down Netherlands.

Eire (conceivable): 1 Paul Stirling, 2 Kevin O’Brien, 3 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 4 Gareth Delany, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 Harry Tector, 7 Neil Rock (wk), 8 Simi Singh, 9 Mark Adair, 10 Josh Little, 11 Ben White

Stats and minutiae

Eire have simplest performed Sri Lanka in a single T20I, long ago within the 2009 Global Cup. Eire misplaced that fit via 9 runs.

In 13 suits this 12 months, Wanindu Hasaranga has 22 wickets with a strike fee of 13.9, and an financial system fee of five.62.

Kevin O’Brien is probably the most skilled T20I participant throughout each groups. Sri Lanka’s most-experienced is Chandimal, who has performed in 60 suits.

Quotes

“Chandi is slightly in need of self assurance at the present time. We had a convention fit amongst ourselves ahead of we came around, when he hit 84 off 48. He is a positive batsman. We’ve not were given a in particular skilled peak 5, and the article that will get him in there’s his revel in. We will give Chandi any other run. I am at ease that Chandi is in there, and I am at ease Chandi is one innings from appearing us what he can do.”
Mickey Arthur expects the senior batter to come back excellent.

“Gareth’s peaking on the proper time. He performed a super innings towards Bangladesh, and he took his kind into the fit towards Netherlands. He is doing precisely what we would like from him – he is taking the assault to the bowlers.”
Andy Balbirnie desires the in-form batter to hold at the excellent paintings.

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf

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